Baltimore Ravens free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4. Matt Judon, OLB

There wasn’t much that the Ravens didn’t do well in 2019. One thing they absolutely need to address is the pass rush. Don Martindale did what he could to manufacture as much pressure as he could without a true pass rusher.

The team‘s 37 sacks landed them in the bottom half of the league in that category. In relation, they were much better in quarterback pressures (142), pressure percentage (23.7%), quarterback knockdowns (59) and knockdowns per pass attempt percentage (10.8%).

The good news, Matt Judon was the team’s leading pass rusher. The bad news, he is a free agent this offseason. He was there best, and frankly only consistent, pass rusher in 2019. Retaining a player familiar with the system, with success in such system, would benefit the Ravens mightily.

The front office made the determination to let Za’Darius Smith walk in free agency last offseason. All Smith did was rack up 13.5 sacks for the Green Bay Packers with 37 QB hits in 2019. Therefore, current general manager, Eric DeCosta, might be quicker to sign Judon after the team got burnt in a very similar situation last offseason.

Judon led the team in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (14) and quarterback hits (33) by a large margin. He also forced a team-high four fumbles.

The 27-year-old had only two games without a quarterback hit, and he had multiple hits in 10 games last season. The Ravens were a strong pass rush away from being the most well-rounded team in the NFL in 2019. Singing Judon and getting some more help in that category should be high on the front office’s list this offseason.

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